6 Tips for Choosing Energy Efficient Windows

Marvin and the experts at Fine Homebuilding magazine team up to share a few smart window selection tips that can deliver long-term value.

Tip 1: Understand the Consequences of Low Quality Windows

Low-cost windows can be pricier than they first appear. Like any weak link in the building envelope, poor-performing windows require a larger HVAC system and ducting, which is pricier up front and also more costly in the long run. “With insulating values as low as U-0.18, windows can have a huge impact on a home’s energy-efficiency rating and a cascade effect on the cost of the overall project,” said Brett Dillon, a longtime builder and developer in Texas, who chairs the technical standards committee for ResNet, a nonprofit that trains and rates residential energy auditors.

The math is easy, but not all builders and homeowners respond to it. “A lot of people don’t know how much they pay for energy and don’t really care,” Dillon…